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Solar Thermal Packages
System Sizing
It is important to size a solar hot water system properly; an undersized system will not meet its potential and an oversized system may have problems with maintenance. Ideally, size the system based on summer solar radiation levels and hot water usage. Sizing for winter will result in excess summer heat, which must be safely used or dissipated.
There are a few factors to consider in sizing a system either for hot water or space heating, such as:
- Current equipment utilized for space and⁄or water heating
- Amount of hot water you use now
- Amount of fuel you use now
- The exterior temperature
- Orientation of building
- Shading objects that may prevent sun from reaching the panels at some times of day
- Placement of collectors - tilt and orientation with respect to the sun
- Desired solar fraction (percentage of energy to come from solar)
- Capital cost
To detail the system requirements please use our online enquiry form.
In general:
Domestic Hot Water – hot water consumption and usage pattern affect the sizing of these systems.
Rule-of-thumb: A 1- collector system is usually recommended for up to 2 people and a 2 collector system for 3 to 4 people.
| Application | Number of collectors | Hot water (L⁄day) | Storage Needed | Approximate Payback |
| Domestic – 2 person house | 1 | 100 | 250 | 7-10 years |
| Domestic – 4 person house | 2 | 250 | 450 | 6-8 years |
| Business – Carwash | 8 | 1500 | 2000 | 4 years |
| Business – Industrial | 12 | 3000 | 3000 | 5 years |
| Business – Multi–unit Housing | 20 | 4000 | 4500 | 6 years |
Multi–unit Residential, Municipal, Hospital, or Business Process Thermal Systems
These systems require design work to properly size the system for your specific needs. These systems tend to be less per liter of heated liquid due to the advantage of scale. Also the Ontario & Federal Government incentive programs cover a very generous portion of the costs.
To have your system needs assessed please complete our online enquiry form.
Solar Thermal systems on car washes, laundry mats, multi-unit residential, and industrial buildings have a pay back of 5 to 7 years in most cases. API is has a full engineering and design service for these systems and will admister your applications to the various incentive programs covering this technology. Call or inquire today.